§ 109.1303. Triggered monitoring requirements for groundwater sources.
(a) Groundwater systems not required to conduct compliance monitoring under § 109.1302 (relating to treatment technique requirements), of one or more groundwater sources shall collect a source water sample within 24 hours of notification of a total coliform-positive routine sample collected under § 109.301(3)(i) (relating to general monitoring requirements) and have it analyzed for the presence of E. coli. The system shall collect a sample from each groundwater source that is not provided with Department-approved 4-log treatment of viruses and is connected to the distribution system from which the total coliform-positive sample was collected.
(b) The Department may extend the 24-hour time limit under subsection (a) to a maximum of 72 hours if the system adequately demonstrates a logistical problem outside the system’s control in having the source sample or samples analyzed within 30 hours of collection. A logistical problem outside the system’s control may include a coliform-positive sample result received over a holiday or weekend in which the services of a Department-accredited laboratory are not available within the prescribed sample holding time.
(c) Systems that obtain written approval from the Department prior to receiving notification of a total coliform-positive routine sample collected under § 109.301(3)(i) may conduct monitoring under subsection (a) at one or more sources within the groundwater system that are representative of multiple sources used by that system. The Department will consider any factors that identify sources as representative of multiple sources including one or more of the following:
(1) The sources draw water from the same hydrogeologic setting.
(2) Multiple distribution systems where no interconnection exists are supplied by separate sources.
(d) A groundwater source sample required under subsection (a) shall be collected at a location prior to any treatment.
(e) A public water system obtaining finished groundwater from another public water system shall notify the supplying system or systems within 24 hours of being notified of a total coliform-positive sample collected under § 109.301(3)(i).
(f) Prior to expiration of the 24-hour deadline under subsection (a), source water monitoring requirements are not required when one of the following apply:
(1) The Department determines and notifies the public water system that a total coliform-positive routine sample collected under § 109.301(3)(i) is caused by a distribution system deficiency.
(2) The total coliform-positive result has been invalidated by the Department under § 109.301(3)(iii).
(g) The following apply to an invalidation of an E. coli sample for groundwater source sampling:
(1) The Department may invalidate an E. coli-positive groundwater source sample collected under this section if:
(i) The system provides the Department with written notice from the laboratory that improper sample analysis occurred.
(ii) The Department determines and documents in writing that there is substantial evidence that the E. coli-positive groundwater source sample is not related to source water quality.
(2) If the Department invalidates an E. coli-positive groundwater source sample, the groundwater system shall collect a replacement source water sample under subsection (a) within 24 hours of being notified by the Department of its invalidation decision and have the replacement sample analyzed for E. coli. The Department may extend the 24-hour time limit on a case-by-case basis to 72 hours.
(h) For an E. coli-positive source water sample collected under subsection (a) that is not invalidated under subsection (g), the system shall comply with Tier 1 public notification requirements under § 109.408 (relating to Tier 1 public notice—categories, timing and delivery of notice).
(i) Systems providing water to another public water system receiving notification under subsection (e) shall comply with subsection (a).
Authority The provisions of this § 109.1303 amended under section 4(a) of the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act (35 P.S. § 721.4(a)); and section 1920-A(b) of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § 510-20(b)).
Source The provisions of this § 109.1303 adopted December 24, 2009, effective December 26, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 7279; amended August 17, 2018, effective August 18, 2018, 48 Pa.B. 4974. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (391462) to (391464).
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 109.303 (relating to sampling requirements); 25 Pa. Code § 109.408 (relating to Tier 1 public notice—categories, timing and delivery notice); 25 Pa. Code § 109.701 (relating to reporting and recordkeeping); 25 Pa. Code § 109.1302 (relating to treatment technique requirements); 25 Pa. Code § 109.1304 (relating to assessment source water monitoring); and 25 Pa. Code § 109.1307 (relating to system management responsibilities).
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